State At A Glance

August 14, 2007

A driver accused of causing a fatal accident on the Berlin Turnpike in June was arraigned Monday on charges of second-degree manslaughter, failing to obey a control signal and driving under the influence. Ethan Churchill, 21, was arrested in New Britain Friday night on a warrant charging him in connection with the accident that resulted in the death of 22-year-old Erika Warren. Witnesses told police that Churchill's vehicle was speeding and ran a red light before it smashed into another car.

EAST HARTFORD -- A 44-year-old local resident was arrested Monday, charged with the knifepoint holdup of a convenience store clerk who was robbed after locking up and then forced into the trunk of his car. The alleged assailant, John Ingram, 44, of Colt Street, was arraigned Monday on charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree unlawful restraint and other charges. Bond was set at $500,000.

ENFIELD -- A 34-year-old local man was being held with bail set at $500,000 Monday on charges that he dragged a 79-year-old woman alongside his van while snatching her purse. Police say the woman was leaving Stop & Shop supermarket on Hazard Avenue when she was held up by a man in a maroon Chevrolet. Robert Coderre, of 4 Orbit Drive, was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, third-degree assault on an elderly person, first-degree unlawful restraint, first-degree reckless endangerment, breach of peace, possession of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia and several motor vehicle charges.

NEW BRITAIN --The board of education plans a public forum tonight to answer questions about the threatened accreditation status of New Britain High School, and what steps are being taken to improve the school's standing. The forum is planned for 7 p.m. at the high school. New Britain High, which has the largest enrollment in the state, was placed on probation this summer by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges.

WEST HARTFORD -- A 55-year-old town resident was arrested on drug and firearms charges -- police say he left several marijuana plants sunning outside. Police said they found 21 potted plants, a loaded semi-automatic handgun and weighing materials. Police said John Hughes, of 20 Somerset St., told officers he has back pain and was growing the plants for medicinal purposes.